The Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) on Saturday claimed to have arrested two bike-lifters in Karachi who are said to be a part of gang comprising many of their family members, all involved in stealing motorcycles.

The ACLC personnel arrested two suspects Sabir Khokhar alias Kala and Mohammed Ashraf Khokhar, said SSP Syed Asad Raza, adding that their gang has stolen around 2,000 vehicles from the metropolis over the last few years.

"This gang of bikes-lifters is known as Khokhar group," claimed the senior officer.

SSP Raza told Dawn that the arrested suspects belonged to Punjab and had settled in different parts of the metropolis. Initially, their elders were allegedly involved in this criminal activity and later on their children also became involved in it.

Abdul Ghafoor Khokhar and his cousins, all hailing from Jhelum District of Punjab, formed a criminal gang in Karachi 1990s and started committing vehicular theft, says SSP Raza.

"Around 25 to 30 members of Khokhar group are involved in bike-lifting," said the officer, adding that during the last 10 years, this gang has stolen between 1,500 to 2,000 motorbikes, which were subsequently sold in Balochistan via their links with criminal elements in Khuzdar.

Apart from lifting motorcycles, this gang had also been involved in "safe keeping" motorcycles lifted by other criminals, for which they received Rs4,000 - 5,000 per vehicle.

They were also arrested on several occasions in the past but were released on bail from courts and started criminal activities again.

The SSP ACLC revealed that the suspects had also sought the help of women for transporting stolen bikes to Balochistan.